Gunsmoke (1955) s04e22 Episode Script

Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon.
All right, Chester.
Mr.
Dillon, you through in there, are you, already? Yeah, yeah.
Why? Well, I was just hoping that you'd be a little bit longer, is all.
Well, you want me to go back in? Oh, no, no.
It's just that Well, it's so near stage time that I thought I'd just stay and watch it come in.
Don't you think? Oh, you, uh you expecting somebody, are you? No, no, no.
It's just Heh.
Well, I mean, you know how it is.
You get to thinking about how far them stages have come, and everybody that's on them, and what all's happened to them on the way.
And all like that.
And, well, it just stirs a body up, is all.
Well, you'd better hang on to yourself, Chester.
Here it comes.
By golly, ain't that a pretty sight? Whew! - Howdy, Matt.
- Hello, Jim.
Chester.
Howdy, Jim.
How was the run? Well, driving one of them rigs ain't ever exactly easy, but nothing special happened, if that's what you mean.
Good, good.
Why, you looking for someone? No, no, no, we're just sightseeing, Jim.
Oh? Yeah, Chester likes to watch the stages come in.
Then maybe he'd like to watch me unload the baggage, too.
Well, he didn't have to get so smart about it.
Say, look at that, would you? Pardon me, gentlemen.
I'd like to ask you a question.
What's on your mind, son? Billy Chrit, sir, from New Orleans.
Well, my name is Matt Dillon.
I'm the Marshal hereabouts.
This is Chester Goode.
- Howdy.
- Gentlemen.
What can I do for you? I was wondering if you could help me to find a friend of mine.
- Here in Dodge? - As far as I know.
Well, I think you don't need to do more than just tell us his name.
It's not a "he".
It's a lady.
Oh, a lady.
Well, then, that could be something different.
What's her name? Russell.
Miss Kitty Russell.
Kitty Russell? You happen to know her, Marshal? I reckon he does, yes.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.
Then I'd thank you if you'd tell me where I might find her.
Well, I think you'd find her right over the Chester, uh, why don't you go get the mail? I'll meet you back at the office later.
Well, uh Excuse me.
Marshal, you said you could tell me where to find Miss Russell? Yeah, come on, I'll show you where it is.
You known Kitty for long, have you? Why? Well, she's been around Dodge quite a spell.
I just wondered where you knew her.
She's an old friend of the family, Marshal.
I see.
As a matter of fact, she was my sister Lucy's best friend.
They grew up together.
So, you came out here to Dodge to see Kitty, is that it? I wanted to see a little of the frontier, that's all.
But Lucy would never forgive me if I didn't look Miss Russell up.
Tell me, has your sister heard from Kitty lately? Oh, I suppose.
On birthdays, Christmas, things like that.
You know how ladies are.
Heh.
Yeah.
Here we are.
I think we'll find Kitty right in here.
But this is a saloon, sir.
What's the matter? Haven't you ever been in one? I have no objections for myself, Marshal.
But we're looking for a lady.
That's right, and we're going to find one.
But l Marshal, I really don't understand this.
You want to find Kitty, or don't you? Well, yes, of course I do.
All right, come on.
- Hi, Kitty.
- Hello, Matt.
I'll be with you in a minute.
Uhh! Where was that bottle? Well, like I told you, Miss Kitty, that is the cheapest line I carry.
Now, you you try that one.
That's some better.
I wouldn't serve that other slop to a hog.
I'd better take 50 bottles of this.
Just make out a bill, and I'll sign it later.
Yes, ma'am.
Well, now.
Kitty, there's an old friend of yours here from Louisiana.
Billy Chrit, ma'am.
Chrit? I don't blame you for not remembering me.
I was just a kid when you last saw me.
Are you really Billy Chrit? Lucy's youngest brother, ma'am, at your service.
Well, of course I remember you, Billy.
Heh.
I just don't even know what to say.
Well, uh, Kitty, I'll be down at the bar here.
Oh, no.
Stay, Matt.
No, no, I'll just be over talking to Sam.
Thank you, Marshal, for your help.
Sure.
Well, now, uh let's go over and sit down.
Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you.
Well, I'm glad you found me, Billy.
Oh, the Marshal was very accommodating when I told him you were a friend of the family.
The family.
The Chrit family.
Oh, that was a long time ago, wasn't it? I reckon it was, ma'am, but but I surely didn't expect to find you in a place like this.
How's Lucy? Tell me all about her.
Why, she's fine.
Enjoying splendid health.
Was that really whiskey you were tasting over there? Yeah.
I'm half-owner of this place, Billy.
Of this place? That's right.
Well, I declare.
Fancy a lady running a place like this.
I never heard of such a thing.
Certainly wouldn't happen at home.
No, I don't suppose it would.
But, you see, a lot of things happen out here that wouldn't happen back in New Orleans.
I suppose.
My life hasn't always been an easy one, Billy.
Well, of course, Miss Kitty.
It's just that it's a considerable surprise to find one of Sister Lucy's friends running a saloon.
I can imagine.
She's always been so proud of you.
Always spoke of you as someone she looked up to.
Are you saying that you don't think she would now? Why Why, no, ma'am.
l I never meant any such thing.
l Please forgive me if I put it badly.
Forget it.
Now, how long are you going to be in Dodge? A week, possibly two.
I haven't planned anything definite.
- Miss Kitty? - Mm-hmm? I got the bill made out back on the bar there.
- I'll be right with you.
- Thanks.
You'll have to excuse me, Billy.
I've got a little business to take care of.
Why, of course, ma'am.
But, I wonder would you do the honor of taking supper with me tonight at, uh, some suitable place? I think that would be real nice.
Well, thank you, ma'am.
Why don't you come back along about, uh, 8:00? lt'll be my great pleasure.
Billy? I guess you'll probably be staying over at the Dodge House.
I'll walk you over there and show you where it is.
- I surely thank you, Marshal.
- All right.
So long, Kitty.
See you later, Matt.
Is it a good hotel, Marshal? It's the best we've got.
No offense, sir.
I guess you all look at things differently out here.
It isn't that we look at things differently, Billy.
It's just that we have to live a little different.
And the people? Well, the people don't take hasty judging, either.
Well, I reckon I wasn't judging the people as much as the surroundings.
Surroundings aren't the most important thing.
I know, but But what? Well, I can't help thinking Miss Kitty would be better off someplace other than that saloon.
My family always told me she was a fine woman.
Well, now I'll tell you something, Billy she is.
But if I were you, I'd leave Kitty's surroundings up to her.
They've got a new chef.
I guess they haven't taught him how to cook steak yet.
Oh, well, the steak's fine, Miss Kitty.
Well, I wish we had a better restaurant to show you.
Thank you, thank you.
But, uh, as the Marshal said to me, "Surroundings aren't the most important thing.
" Matt said that? Yes, ma'am.
And may I add that right now at least, they aren't nearly as important as the company.
Well, now, thank you, Billy.
That's real nice.
It's been a long time since anybody's turned a compliment like that for me.
Oh, Miss Kitty.
Hmm? Uh, Lucy asked me to bring this along, just on the chance I should see you.
She wanted you to have it.
Well, thank you.
Heh.
Oh, that's just lovely.
It was always a favorite of Lucy's.
Mother bought it for her when she was just a little girl.
You know, I think remember seeing her wear this.
I imagine you have, Miss Kitty.
Well, it sure was thoughtful of you, Billy.
And of Lucy, too.
I really thank you.
Just beautiful.
- Miss Kitty? - Hmm? Uh, I'd like to ask you something.
You go right ahead.
Well, uh, Sister Lucy she never mentioned the kind of work you do.
I don't believe I ever mentioned it to her.
Well, I can't help feeling, ma'am, that you'd be a lot happier if you were situated someplace else.
Are you talking about the Long Branch? Yes, ma'am, I am.
A saloon just isn't a proper place for a lady.
It's downright shocking.
Billy, let me try and explain something to you.
There you are.
Hey, lookie here, Weeb! It's Kitty.
Why, it sure is.
Let's go talk to her.
We'll just do that.
Say, Kitty, we want you to come back to your own place.
Yeah, come on back.
- The lady is with me, gentlemen.
- It's all right, Billy.
We've been looking for you.
Everywhere.
Come on back to the Long Branch, Kitty.
I guess you didn't hear me, gentlemen.
We drink better when you're prettying up the place.
Ain't that right, Weeb? - Oh, yeah, it sure is.
- Now, listen Look, boys, um, I'm having supper.
Now, I'll be back later.
No, no, no.
We want you to come on back right now.
Now, come on, Kitty! Come on! Gentlemen, I've told you once the lady is with me.
Billy! What's he talking about, Tal? Well, the best way I can figure it is he means to stand up for Kitty.
Listen, Tal, don't you start anything.
You hear me? I'm warning you, sir.
You take your drunken friend and get out of here, and leave the lady alone.
Why, you fancy-talking young dude, you.
Look, Tal, uh, please.
Go on back to the Long Branch.
I'll be back later.
And, Billy, you sit down.
I won't stand for them talking to you like that, Miss Kitty.
Let's cut him down, Tal.
I'm at your service, gentlemen.
Why, you young squirt, I'd tear you apart.
Billy, will you please sit down? Now, get going, boys.
Shouldn't I dry his ears for him, Kitty? He doesn't mean any harm, Tal.
Just get to the Long Branch.
Drinks are on the house.
Free drinks? That's what I said.
You tell Sam I sent you.
I don't know.
Oh, come on, Tal.
We can pluck his feathers later.
As I said, I'll be at your service.
Billy, once and for all, will you shut up? You know, just maybe we'll see you later, boy.
Thank you, Kitty.
- Come on, Weeb.
- Sure.
Come on, let's go.
Hey! Ha! I wish you hadn't done that, Miss Kitty.
Billy, you've got to learn the way things are out here.
They didn't mean any insult to me.
No lady has to submit to that sort of thing.
This isn't New Orleans.
It's Dodge City.
Then Dodge City needs to be taught some manners.
By you? If necessary, ma'am.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean that the way it sounded.
A gentleman is a gentleman anywhere, Miss Kitty.
Sure, Billy, sure.
But please, please don't try to teach Dodge City anything for my sake.
What do you mean? Well, let's just put it this way.
I don't want to have to write Lucy and tell her that her brother's buried on Boot Hill.
Hi, Kitty.
Say, I'll be with you in just a second.
I just want to finish signing this, uh There.
Well, what can I do for you? - You can help me.
- Help you how? Billy Chrit.
Something has got to be done about that boy.
Well, what do you mean? Nothing's happened yet.
At least I was able to stop it.
What are you talking about? You know Tal and his partner Weeb? Yeah.
Billy and I were having supper at Delmonico's a little while ago, and they came in drunk.
And you know how they are.
They're a little a little rough, but not really bad.
Do you mean to say that Billy tried to take them on or something? He was about to.
The little fool was determined he was going to defend my honor.
Next time, I'm not going to be able to break it up with drinks on the house.
Well, what do you want me to do, Kitty? Talk to him.
Think it'll do any good? No.
But you could get him out of town.
Well, fine.
But on what grounds? All right.
Take his gun away from him.
Kitty, listen, l I can't do a thing like that.
The boy hasn't done anything yet.
I mean, nothing's happened.
You're just going to sit around and wait till it does, is that it? Look, Kitty, I don't want to see the boy get into trouble any more than you do, but But you won't take his gun away from him.
Well, I can't, not without a reason.
People wouldn't respect the law around here if I didn't.
A reason.
And besides, that boy's got to grow up sometime.
"Grow up".
You men have a fine idea of what growing up is.
Just settle it with a gun.
Just shoot somebody, and that makes you a man.
That's growing up in this town.
- Oh, Kitty, listen.
- I'm listening.
I know it's hard for you to understand, but it's just the way things are out here.
You know I'd do anything in the world I could for you.
But I just can't take his gun away from him.
All right, Matt.
I just hope he doesn't grow up in time to get himself killed, that's all.
Kitty, I hope so, too.
But I'll tell you one thing no man ever grew up by being babied, either.
That's a chance we all have to take.
You're all alike.
Wait a minute.
I'll walk back to the Long Branch with you.
No, thanks.
I'd rather go by myself.
- Clerk? - Hmm? Oh.
The room you moved me into today there's no soap, and the towels are filthy.
How do you explain that? Well? Dirty towels and no soap, huh? Well, mister, all I can think of is that the last man that had that room must have moved out mighty clean.
You're being very rude.
I'm being very what? You're being insolent, and I'll not endure it, sir.
Oh, Billy, forevermore.
What's that popinjay chattering about? Sir? I said, what are you chattering about? Here, Billy.
Uh, just a minute.
Will you repeat that, sir? I ain't never been called out by no dude kid before.
- You're wearing a gun.
- Why, you Now, Mr.
Hines, you can't shoot him.
He don't know what he's doing.
- Please stay out of this.
- Will you please shut up? Now, he's just a kid.
He don't know how things is out here.
Well, it's time he learned.
Please step aside.
Just a minute, now.
He's a friend of Miss Kitty's.
He come out here to see her.
You wouldn't want to cause her no trouble, would you? Him? A friend of Kitty's? That's what I'm telling you.
- Now, look here - I told you once to shut up.
If he's a friend of Kitty's, I won't mess with him.
I can sure tell you agree with him.
Well, no, I didn't say that exactly.
Oh, yes, you did too.
Exactly.
You men are all alike.
Just leave them alone.
Hand them a gun and leave them alone, and everything will be settled, one way or another.
Let them shoot their way into manhood, or out of it.
That's your idea, too, huh? Well, you're you're you're just putting it too strong.
- Oh, am I? - Well, I didn't say Uh-oh.
Here comes more trouble, probably.
I'm going to steer him away from the bar.
Somebody is sure to insult my honor here.
- Hello, Billy.
- Miss Kitty.
Come on, let's sit down over here.
Thank you.
You want a drink? No, thank you.
Miss Kitty, I've come to say good-bye.
I've decided to cut my visit short.
Oh, well, uh, when are you leaving? Right away, ma'am.
Well, it was sure nice to see you, Billy.
You give Lucy my love.
Oh, I'll surely do that, ma'am.
I hope you enjoyed your visit here.
I just wish there was more we could've done for you.
Oh, you've been very kind, Miss Kitty.
I'm mighty grateful to you.
Well, there he is now.
The dude with the fancy talk.
Tal, you and Weeb get on over to the bar.
You had something to say to me, sir? Well, now, I don't know.
I didn't know if you'd be hiding behind a woman's skirts again.
That's insulting, sir.
Well, if it's so insulting, what do you aim to do about it? I'm inviting to go out to the street with me, sir.
Right now.
You mean, you really know how to use that gun? I'll show you, if you're not afraid to find out.
Why, you young smart aleck Now, hold on here.
Just hold on a minute.
This ain't no business of yours.
You just shut up, Weeb.
Aren't you a little foolish, coming in here, starting a quarrel over nothing? I can't help it, Doc.
This kid has a chip on his shoulder ten feet high, and somebody has to knock it off.
Might as well be me.
When you all are through talking Billy, stop this.
And you, too, Tal.
Not this time, Miss Kitty.
- I'm waiting, sir.
- Then let's go.
Now, just a minute here, Tal.
This is just a young boy.
He don't know what he's saying.
He might as well start finding out right now.
- Lead the way, you.
- No, Billy.
Excuse me, ma'am.
You can't stop it, Kitty.
I got to.
Billy? This is an affair of honor, Miss Kitty.
You mustn't try to interfere.
An affair of honor, huh? Whose honor? That's what I'd like to know.
Why Why, yours, ma'am.
Mine? Or yours? You know, you're right, Tal.
He's walking around with a chip on his shoulder, just looking for some honorable reason to have it knocked right off.
Well, I'm getting sick of it.
And I'm getting sick of you.
If I want my honor defended, I'll ask for it.
Do you know why I don't? Because there's nothing to defend, that's why.
I'm not like your sister Lucy.
I am a saloon keeper.
And you're just making a fool of yourself, because everybody in Dodge City knows all there is to know about me.
Now, why don't you get out of here and go back to New Orleans, where ladies are what you think ladies ought to be? But Sister Lucy always said that I don't care what Sister Lucy always said! She never knew anything about me that was true, anyhow.
No.
And you can tell her I said so.
Now get out of here before you're laughed right out of town for trying to defend Kitty Russell's honor.
Heh! I'll be laughing at you myself in a minute.
Here, you'd better take this with you.
My apologies, sir.
Good riddance, Kitty.
Come on, buy you a drink.
Take your hands off of me, you big ape.
Bring me a whiskey, Sam.
Right, Miss Kitty.
Being pretty hard on herself, isn't she, Doc? Yeah, well, it's not the first time a woman's hurt herself to save a man's life.
Yeah.
Wasn't easy, was it? I'll tell you one thing, though you saved the boy's life.
He'd have been dead for sure.
I just hope I didn't hurt him too bad.